V.MFS.0009- Northern Rivers Circularity Hub Discovery Stage

Summary

The Northern Rivers is rapidly positioning itself as a region of opportunity – investing in resilience, net-zero innovation, and community wellbeing. Rather than importing a one-size-fits-all model, there’s an opportunity to design a unique Northern Rivers approach to the circular and regenerative economy – that is grounded in our local strengths, industries and values.

This research investigates the feasibility of establishing Circular Northern Rivers, a circular economy cooperative in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, to coordinate regional industry and business transformation towards initiatives that support a circular economy in the region. The Northern Rivers region makes a relatively significant contribution to agricultural production in NSW. Beef production is the dominant industry in terms of GVP, contributing 27% of the Region’s output. The beef industry consistently remains a major employer in the region, along the whole supply chain. (DPI NSW, 2020) Based on the regional industry landscape, new or regenerative products would directly and indirectly benefit the meat industry and support regenerative farmland practices.

Objectives

The project objectives were:
1.    Identify the most suitable governance and business model for a regional circular economy hub.
2.    Engage stakeholders to co-design a hub that integrates Indigenous knowledge and supports cross-sector collaboration.
3.    Develop a business case and phased implementation roadmap.

All objectives were achieved. The outcome recommends a hybrid governance model and provides a detailed business and funding strategy.

Key findings

The Northern Rivers region possesses the cultural readiness, policy alignment and economic diversity required to become a national exemplar of circular economy transformation. The project considered input from various stakeholders, blueprint models established in other locations, and the unique characteristics of the Northern Rivers Region in developing a proposed model for a circularity hub. A key requirement for a successful hub model is to be place-based and anchored in the Northern Rivers but connected to national and global circular economy initiatives. Such a hub must operate as a backbone organisation, coordinating stakeholders, facilitating innovation, and delivering services across the region. The proposed Northern Rivers circularity hub model is scalable and place-based, integrating Indigenous knowledge, regional resilience, and cross-sector collaboration to deliver measurable environmental, economic, and social outcomes. Guided by the Gnibi Elders' Principles and aligned with Australia's Circular Economy Framework and Net Zero commitments, the hub is designed to catalyse innovation, build local capacity and regenerate natural systems. The outcomes of this study also indicated that a phased approach towards a fully operational model will ensure uptake from the regional stakeholders and the longevity of the hub.

Benefits to industry

From a red meat sector perspective, a Circular Economy hub in the Northern Rivers will enable:

1. Cross-sector collaboration with manufacturing, construction, and community sectors, unlocking waste recovery, logistics, and infrastructure synergies.
2. Alignment with national climate and circularity frameworks, including Australia’s Circular Economy Framework and Net Zero targets.
3. Data-driven decision making through regional material flow mapping and digital platforms, improving traceability and transparency.
4. Explore facilitation and access to green loans through partnerships with national banks, policy incentives, including circular procurement collaboration frameworks and carbon credit generation.

MLA action

A collaborative MDC project has been designed to support SCU to progress into phase 1, a 3 year plan to establish funding and support for a Circular Northern Rivers Hub.

Future research

Key recommendations of the report include:

• A proposed independent operating entity with a hybrid governance model combining a member-owned cooperative with a commercially viable operating entity.
• A phased implementation roadmap, transitioning from discovery/feasibility to foundation building (Phase 1) and full operational maturity (Phase 2).
• A business case and funding strategy tailored to regional stakeholders, including councils, RDCs, financial institutions, and industry/business partners.